The United Nations principles for older adults identify five areas of concern for the aging population. The International Year of Older Persons objective is to promote these principles, which are aimed at enhancing older persons:

Independence - opportunities for work, education and the support to live in their home for as long as possible;

Participation - an active role in decision making and communicating within the family, community and society;

Care - access to health care based on need, and social, legal and other services that enhance personal security;

Self-fulfilment - personal development opportunities, with access to educational, cultural, spiritual and recreational resources;

Dignity - full human rights, including respect for older persons' dignity, beliefs, privacy and security.

The Senior Citizens Council has always recognized the important contribution that seniors make in enriching our lives, whether it be a parent, grandparent, or one of our many clients. It's what we do. By providing our many Home Support Services we enable seniors to remain productive in society while continuing to live within the safety of their own home. We at the Senior Citizens Council are dedicated to upholding these principles. We are fully aware of the important role that seniors play in the day to day operation of our own organization. Without their many hours of volunteer work our task would be impossible.

In this regard we support wholeheartedly the resolution of the United Nations and the initiative of the Province of Ontario in providing funds for the program put forth by the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat in promoting the theme for the

Adapted from: http://www.ptbo.igs.net/~ptbosrcouncil/topics.html